Lighthouse Keeper Grave Marker Ceremonies

On Saturday, October 3, volunteers with the non-profit Chesapeake Chapter, U.S. Lighthouse Society, will honor seven Chesapeake Bay lighthouse Keepers in special ceremonies at three cemeteries in Mathews County.  The Chapter will hold the first 30-minute-long tribute to Keeper Walter M. Shawn at the Trinity Church Cemetery in Foster at 9:30 am. Keeper Henry Luther Dow will then be honored at the St. Paul United Methodist Church Cemetery in Susan at 11:15 am. After a break for lunch, five keepers will be honored at the H.C. Smither Cemetery in Hudgins beginning at 1:30 pm. In order, the Chapter will dedicate Lighthouse Service plaques at the grave sites of Keepers James Garnett Williams, William Thomas Brooks, Robert Harold Matthews, Andrew Broaddus Sadler, and Charles Franklin Sadler. Members of U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 66 Milford Haven will provide the color guard. For more details and current information, please see the Chesapeake Chapter’s web site – www.cheslights.org or email – lghthskpr@aol.com or piano4u@msn.com or call (703) 494-8344. 

Because of the ongoing pandemic, we encourage attendees at all ceremonies to practice CDC guidelines of mask wearing, social distancing and the use of hand sanitizer. The public is invited to this event which will be held rain or shine.

9:30AM: Honoree: Keeper Walter M. Shawn – Trinity Church Cemetery

11:15AM: Honoree: Keeper Henry Luther Dow – St. Paul United Methodist Church Cemetery

Lunch

1:30PM: Honoree: Keeper James Garnett Williams – H.C. Smither Cemetery

2:15PM: Honoree: Keeper William Thomas Brooks – H.C. Smither Cemetery

3:30PM: Honoree: Keeper Robert Harold Matthews – H.C. Smither Cemetery

4:15PM: Honoree: Keeper Andrew Broaddus Salder and Keeper Charles Franklin Sadler – H.C. Smither Cemetery